Hanover Central High School

Verrett, Bonner help Hanover run away from Wheeler in season-opening win (Cedar Lake, IN) Caiden Verrett rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns and added a 92-yard kickoff return TD to lead Hanover’s offense as the Wildcats ran away from Wheeler 41-21 in the 2024 season opener at the Wildcat Den. Quarterback Tommy Bonner—a Cedar Lake resident who spent the last two seasons at Chicago St. Rita—rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns and added 154 yards passing in his return to the Wildcat Den turf. The Wildcat offense also got a boost from its new placekicker Aldo Desiderio. He connected on field goals from 29 and 22 yards out, and was also a perfect 4/4 on PATs. HC has now won 25 straight regular season games. Hanover (1-0) has not lost a regular season game in nearly three years: the last time the Cats suffered a regular season defeat was on September 3, 2021, a 35-34 loss at Culver Military. Early on, it appeared the Bearcats (0-1) would exploit Hanover’s aggressive defense. Running back Jayden Ortiz racked up yardage between the tackles, while QB Caleb Klimczak and receiver Tyne Vettickal connected for TD passes of 46 and 47 yards respectively on their first two offensive possessions. Defensive coordinator AJ Grezenko made his adjustments, dialing up run blitzes and forcing Klimczak to hurry throws. Wildcat defensive backs grabbed four interceptions—two from Dylan Bowen and one each for Rocco Bartolomeo and Henry Maurer. Bowen led the defense with 12 tackles. Landen Coduti and Jacob Hiland each added eight. A 2nd quarter Sean Conlon sack on third down was a statement, helping shift momentum as the Wildcats shut out Wheeler in the pivotal quarter 17-0. Anthony Layman was HC’s leading receiver, collecting five catches for 86 yards. Hanover makes a long trip south next Friday night, battling perennial football power Bishop Chatard in Indianapolis. The Trojans are the two-time defending Class 3A state champions and have more state championships than any other football program in Indiana history, 17. They have won state titles in four of the last five seasons. They haven’t lost a football game—regular season or tournament—since October of 2022. + + + + + Stats courtesy Adam Noel, Hanover Central football statistician